Hundreds of teenagers wearing pink and white paid tribute to their “gentle giant” of a friend.

And in a unique gesture, Jamie Gaylor’s white coffin was adorned with stickers and hand written tributes to the popular teenager who was found hanged in Laurel Park – a popular Earley spot – on Saturday, May 25.

Friends and family of the 17-year-old gathered on Friday at St Andrew’s Church, Sonning, to bid a fond farewell to the ex-Maiden Erlegh School pupil.

One friend, Sam, read out a poem on behalf of all Jamie’s pals which included the lines: “Every time we close our eyes we see your smiling face.”

The poem continued: “We expect a call from you. We’re waiting patiently by the phone. We wish you could have shared with us and told us what was wrong.

“If we had known 25th May was your last day we would have held and squeezed you tight. It makes no sense to have to say goodbye.

“Jamie you should have known you were never alone. We cherish your memories and we are so proud to have known you.

“We will always have secret memories [of you] locked in our hearts.”

Sam said Jamie, a labourer with an “infectious smile”, was “appreciated and adored” and in a touching tribute mourners wore pink and white at his mum’s request in his memory.

Members of the church’s congregation sobbed as the decorated coffin was led out by lads dressed in pink shirts and ties.

Outside the church a dog wore a gold necklace and a T-shirt bearing Jamie’s name in memory of him.

There were also floral tributes – one spelling out Jamie’s name, another of a motorbike and the third of a dog.

Jamie’s uncle Alan Johnson remembered his nephew, who lived in Beech Lane, Earley, as a “nutter”.

He said: “He taught me how to live life to the full. I remember all the good times we shared.”

Referring to Jamie’s parents Deborah and Paul he continued: “This is the thing no parent should go through.”

He also pledged to help Jamie’s sisters Jemma and Kayley in any way he could.

The Reverend Michael Forrer said of the youngster: “Why did Jamie leave us so soon?

“We do not have an answer.

“There are many inexplicable things with which we have to wrestle.

“He was a gentle giant.

“He has left a legacy. A legacy of friendship.

“I am reminded of the words of a song or perhaps a film – only the good die young.

“Perhaps Jamie might have been short of hope in this life, but not in hope of life after death.”

And in a tribute he read out from one of Jamie’s teachers at Maiden Erlegh, he said: “Jamie will always be my favourite naughty boy.